Dreier Votes to Renew PATRIOT Act

March 8, 2006

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Dreier R-San Dimas, CA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, voted tonight to approve legislation renewing the USA PATRIOT Act, the critical legislation that has helped law enforcement wage the war on terror more effectively since the attacks of September 11, 2001. The USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments Act of 2006, S. 2271, was approved with bipartisan support, 280-138. The bill will now be sent to the President for his signature.

“The PATRIOT Act has been key to successful law enforcement efforts to combat terrorism here at home,” Dreier said. “The sunset provisions we included in the original version of the bill worked, because we took a long hard look at the PATRIOT Act last year and enhanced its effectiveness, as well as its protections. New civil liberty protections were added, and additional penalties were included to combat terror in our ports. I commend Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner for shepherding this vital legislation through a very long and very difficult process. Ultimately, his efforts secured a strong bipartisan vote and ensured that fight against terrorism will continue.”